The World Land Trust – Saving the Atlantic Rainforest

Celebrating 21 years of saving and preserving the Atlantic Rainforest - a biodiversity hotspot - at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

While rainforests are disappearing all over the world, one is currently under construction within the grounds of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In a bid to mark their 21st Anniversary and the UN International Year of Biodiversity, the World Land Trust is bringing attention to the Atlantic Rainforest of South America. However there is more to this remarkable exhibit than meets the eye, it features over 64 Atlantic Rainforest plant species growing out of recycled compost (generated from London's unwanted sandwiches) and a live web feed from the Atlantic Rainforest.

As the first international conservation charity to successfully install a webcam in the middle of the rainforest, the World Land Trust will be live streaming from a webcam focusing on the humming bird feeders and mammal feeders. This live footage will appear on a screen installed in a specially designed ranger's hut that is part of the exhibit. The recycled compost is being provided by exhibit sponsors Enterprise Plants whose sister company Juniper Waste collects sandwiches and other food waste from the likes of clients including Hilton Hotels, Broadgate Estates and Lloyds of London, and turns it into compost.

The Atlantic Rainforest or Mata Atlântica is a major biodiversity hotspot and home to over 20,000 plant species, 40% of which are endemic. The exhibit will provide a wonderful opportunity to share with the Chelsea visitors not only beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest, but the importance of its preservation. The Atlantic Rainforest is the most endangered rainforest in the world and only 7% of it remains, yet Mata Atlântica receives less publicity than the Amazon.

World Land Trust Patron, Sir David Attenborough, in speaking about the work of the Trust, says, "I am of the opinion that tropical forests must be saved at all cost. And as a Patron of the World Land Trust I applaud their decision to bring attention to the plight of the Atlantic Rainforest at Chelsea this year. I also fully support the Trust’s drive to save as much of the real thing as is humanly possible. Despite all our great skills we can never recreate anything so wonderful."

For further information on the World Land Trust please contact: Emma Beckett t: 0207 637 2967 m:07984 462201 e: emma*AT*emmabeckettpr.com (To prevent spam we cannot show the email address in full. Please replace *AT* with @ in your email TO field.)